Fishy Opportunity

Americans have increased their consumption of fish to 17 pounds of fish annually per capita. That creates demand for a healthy, low calorie, low cholesterol, high in protein and sustainably raised fish. The increased consumption is depleting many wild fish populations.  Polluted freshwater bodies are reducing the fish available for consumption. The increase in demand and declining wild fish populations has produced an opportunity for farm raised fish. Currently about 25 percent of fish consumed are farm raised.

The definition of aquaculture is the raising of aquatic organisms, both plant and animal, especially for food. This can be done by tank culture or pond culture, depending on the small farmers’ assets. The water quality is the most important factor in the production of fish. Though the predominant fin fish for tank culture is tilapia, which is a bland, fast growing, disease-resistant species, it is suggested the new fish farmer start with ornamental aquarium species on a small scale for pet store sales.

In considering raising fish, begin by thinking about resources you have available. You can find many informational resources at Lincoln University (LU). Research is being done at LU’s George Washington Carver and Alan T. Busby farms on re-circulating tank and pond culture production systems, nutrition of several species and reproductive behavior.

Some of the web resources to begin with in determining whether aquaculture might fit into your farm plans are:

 LU Aquaculture, research and specialist
 Missouri Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture
 Missouri Aquaculture Association
 North Central Regional Aquaculture Center
 Aquaculture Hub
(by Jim Pierce, Farm Outreach Worker, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension)